SPORT Saturday 19 May 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Al Rayyan confident Belmadi sees exciting of eending season with final, hopes to Amir Cup title complete treble

Qatar drawn with UAE at AFC U-19 Championship

THE PENINSULA the line for the participating knockout stage due to goal dif- sides as the top four teams will ference, will be aiming to do JAKARTA: Former champions also secure their spots in the better against Vietnam, Australia yesterday were drawn in FIFA U-20 World Cup next year and Jordan in Group C. Group A of the AFC U-19 Cham- in Poland. Two-time champions and pionship along with hosts Indo- Indonesia, who will be 2016 runners-up Saudi Arabia nesia. hosting the prestigious tour- are grouped with Tajikistan, The other teams in Group A nament for the third time, were 1985 winners China PR and include the United Arab Emirates crowned champions in 1961. Malaysia in Group D. and Chinese Taipei in the Defending champions Japan, The draw ceremony yes- 16-team event that kicks off in who earned their first title in the terday began with a traditional Indonesia on October 18 this previous edition, will face Indonesian performance by year. Thailand, DPR Korea and Iraq, dancers from the Liga Tari Qatar won this champi- who have won the title five times Mahasiswa Universitas Indo- onship in 2014 to seal their berth in Group B. nesia Krida Budaya, showcasing at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup Twelve-time champions local folklore dances and music, held in New Zealand. Korea Republic, suffered heart- before Football Association of remarks regarding the tour- Jakarta in October will show the across Asia,” said Driyono. There is more than just the break in 2016 when they nar- Indonesia Acting President Joko nament. “We hope that the tour- very best of youth football and “To all participating teams, AFC U-19 Championship title on rowly missed out on the Driyono gave his opening nament which will take place in escalate the level of football I wish you the best,” he added.

IPL: Daredevils Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Italy’s Fabio Fognini during their quarter- final in Rome yesterday. beat Super Kings

AGENCIES scoring just 17 runs from 23 deliveries. NEW DELHI: Hosts Delhi Dare- ’s 27-0ff-18 devils rode on late order blitz- deliveries also failed to pose kriegs from Vijay Shankar and challenge for the winners. Harshal Patel to secure a 34-run Earlier, put in to bat, Delhi victory over Chennai Super were off to a sluggish start Kings in their Indian Premier before losing in-form opener League (IPL) match in New Prithvi Shaw off a run-a-ball 17 Delhi yesterday. in the fifth over with the score- Shankar (36 from 28 board showing 24 runs. balls; 4x2, 6x2) and Patel (36 not Shaw, who received a out from 16; 4x1, 6x4) milked 26 reprieve a couple of balls earlier runs off the final over from when dropped to forge a 65-run a simple catch off Ravindra sixth stand -- the highest Jadeja, failed to cash on it and of Delhi’s innings -- and helped fell to with the hosts post a healthy total of Thakur making no mistake this 162-5. time around. Daredevils, then restricted for 128-6 BRIEF SCORES to register a resounding victory, Delhi Daredevils 162/5 (Rishabh Pant 38, thanks to a brace each by fast Vijay Shankar 36 not out, Harshal Patel bowler Trent Boult (2-20) and Nadal bounces back from 36 not out; Lungi Ngidi 2/14) bt Chennai Amit Mishra (2-20). Ambati Raudu (50) was the Super Kings (AT Rayudu 50, RA Jadeja

top scorer for Super Kings as 27; A Mishra 20-2, Boult 2-20) by 34 slow start to reach semis their MS Dhoni failed to runs. lift the side in crucial stages, AFP win his quarter-final tie in Russia’s Maria Sharapova Rome and next up he will face ROME: Rafael Nadal continued hits a return to Latvia’s either fellow former world his clay domination yesterday, Jelena Ostapenko during number one Novak Djokovic Botham backs rallying from a set down to their quarter-final match or Japan’s Kei Nishikori. reach the Italian Open semi- in Rome yesterday. Marin Cilic beat Pablo finals with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-3 to reach 100-ball format victory over Fabio Fognini. the Rome semi-finals for the AFP The world number two first time in his career. existing competition, the T20 needs to lift an eighth career The Croatian fourth seed Blast. Botham believes the new title at the Foro Italico on lost in the 2011 and 2017 LONDON: England great Ian tournament, due to start in Sunday to return to the top of quarter-finals at the Foro Botham has backed contro- 2020, could compete with the the ATP rankings after losing Italico, but dismissed Busta in versial plans for a new city- other popular franchise leagues. that position to Roger Federer 65 minutes. based 100-ball competition “The game has to move on,” last week. Nadal and Cilic were joined despite widespread criticism he said during a ceremony in Spaniard Nadal dropped as semi-finalist by women’s from within the game. London yesterday . the opening set in an hour but fourth seed Elina Svitolina, The former all-rounder “I think we’re in danger of re-grouped effortlessly as he who recovered from a slow believes England and Wales diluting the red-ball game too swept past the Italian in the sets of their quarter-final tie. aim for an unprecedented 11th start to defeat former world Board chairman Colin much and going down the one-sided second and third “I’m not used to playing so title. number one Angelique Kerber Graves is right to press ahead one-day road, but that’s what early,” Nadal said of his midday “My clay court season has of Germany 6-4, 6-4. with the “Hundred” concept in the public wants at the moment ITALIAN OPEN RESULTS start. been, I think, fantastic. It will Meanwhile, Maria the hope that it can match the and we’re trying to do some- Men’s Quarter-finals “But I’m very happy to be be much better if I finish here Sharapova won a battle of global appeal of the Indian thing different. Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA), in the semi-finals. with another title,” added the French Open champions, Premier League (IPL) and Aus- “No one’s agreed anything 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 “This was a very important 16-time Grand Slam winner. taking more than three hours tralia’s popular tournament Big yet regarding the new compe- Marin Cilic (CRO x4) bt Pablo Carreno Busta win for me today.” “But I can’t forget that I had to get past Jelena Ostapenko Bash, both played under tition so we’ll have to wait and Nadal also beat Fognini in five months without com- 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-5 and reach Twenty20 rules. see how it all falls into place. But (ESP x10) 6-3, 6-3 Rome in 2013 in their first ever peting, from Shanghai (October the Italian Open semi-finals. But the Durham chairman’s we needed a competition in Women’s Quarter-finals meeting. 2017) until Monte-Carlo (last Russia’s five-time Grand comments are in contrast to England to compete with the Big Maria Sharapova (RUS) bt Jelena Ostapenko This was his 11th victory in month). I didn’t complete -- not Slam winner defeated the those of other current players, Bash and the IPL -- everyone (LAT x5) 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-5 14 meetings with the 21st- one event. The comeback has reigning Roland Garros holder including his county’s captain else has one and we’ve been Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) bt Angelique Kerber ranked Italian, and sixth in a been great, I am happy with to leave Ostapenko with only Paul Collingwood, who led slow to pick up on it,” the leg- (GER) 6-4, 6-4 row. everything.” Rome and Stuttgart quarter- England to their memorable endary player added.

Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Caroline Wozniacki He is working towards It was the first time in four finals prior to the start of her World Twenty20 victory in Botham was speaking at a (DEN x2) 6-3, 6-1 Roland Garros, where he will years that Nadal managed to title defence in Paris. 2010. ceremony to mark the renaming He believes a bigger effort of a pavilion at Durham’s ground should be made to exploit the in honour of Collingwood. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 19 MAY 2018 Giants Al Duhail, Al Rayyan eye Amir Cup glory in season finale

ARMSTRONG VAS season will motivate them to go the extra mile very difficult. We are playing against the best rallied to draw 2-2 THE PENINSULA in today’s final. team not only in Qatar, but in the entire Gulf and then went up 3-2 “We know the opponent have the same region. They had a fantastic season, winning until the late goal, it was : Al Duhail will be looking ambition - that is to win the title. Al Rayyan is a the QSL, then they beat Al Sadd to win the Qatar a fantastic game, so that to end the domestic football season big club and a season without any title is not a Cup and they have been winning in the AFC gives me confidence for with a trophy treble of their own good one for them … so they will be more hungry. Champions League also,” Laudrup said. tomorrow,” Laudrup said when they take on fierce rivals Al They were very much in the race for QSL tile Laudrup said many of the Al Duhail players yesterday. Rayyan in the final of the Amir Cup today but they slipped and never got back,” Belmadi have been together and know each other’s game He said his team has been at the Khalifa International Stadium. said. inside out. playing well and remained high on The QNB Stars League (QSL) winners In the rival camp, Al Rayyan coach Michael “(I know) many of the players at Al Duhail, confidence ahead of the winner- have been on a roll, both on the home front Laudrup knows that his side has a tough task as they were with the club when I was the takes-all clash. and in the AFC Champions League. at hand but said ‘nothing is impossible’ and they coach. They have been with the club for three “In the last two games, we have At the continental level, coach Djamel Bel- are focused on winning their first title of the to four years. The secret of Al Duhail success played very good games, a very good madi’s side has reached the Asian quarter-finals, season. has been many players playing together for display, scored goals and did not while at home besides the QSL title, they are the “We will try to give our best for the final many years. concede any goals against Al Arabi or champions also. and hopefully this time we will win the trophy. “Good players, when they are together, Al Gharafa. So we are very well prepared Belmadi, the Algerian tactician, will be looking Last year, playing at the this know exactly what they want to do and for the final,” said Laudrup. to lay his hands on the Amir Cup trophy to com- great stadium, unfortu- it makes it more difficult for the Meanwhile Al Rayyan star plete a rare triple trophy feat. nately, we lost through a opponents because they know each said his team “Full credit to my boys for reaching the last minute goal. It was other so well,” he added. has a difficult task at hand final and the best way to finish the season a fantastic atmosphere Laudrup sounded positive against Al Duhail. will be to win the Amir Cup trophy,” Belmadi and a very intense about Al Rayyan’s chances of “It will be a difficult said on the eve of the final yesterday. game,” Laudrup said winning the title, saying past game but I trust all my col- Belmadi’s team, which won the hearts while speaking to jour- records show that Al Rayyan leagues will produce their of football fans with their aggressive style of nalists on the eve of the have done well against Al Duhail. best and win the title. God play, however seemed guarded against Al final. “I look at the records. Out of Willing we will be champions. Rayyan strikers. The popular Dane the 34 games Al Duhail have The final is a big game so we “They have very good players in the front, wants to finish the season played so far in the season, they will rise to the occasion to give so we have our plan in place to take care of by winning a trophy. have won 31, three games have our best.” these good players in the Al Rayyan “Winning the title will been drawn, and one of them was camp,” he added be the fantastic ending to this against us, a 3-3 draw at the Khalifa Belmadi said the season. Of course, we know it is Stadium. We were down 2-0, but lack of silverware this season for Al Rayyan this

PAST CHAMPIONS

1973: Al Ahli 6-1 Al Rayyan 1974: Al Esteqlal 2-1 Al Sadd Al Duhail’s coach 1975: Al Sadd 4-3 Al Ahli 1976: Al Esteqlal 4-3 Al Arabi 1977: Al Sadd 1-0 Al Rayyan 1978: Al Arabi 5-1 Al Wakrah 1979: Al Arabi 3-1 Al Wakrah 1980: Al Arabi 2-1 Al Khor 1981: Al Ahli 2-1 Qatar SC 1982: Al Sadd 2-1 Al-Rayyan 1983: Al Arabi 1-0 Al Sadd 1984: Al Arabi 3-2 Al Ahli 1985: Al Sadd 2-1 Al Ahli 1986: Al Sadd 2-0 Al Arabi 1987: Al Ahli 2-0 Al Sadd Al Rayyan’s coach 1988: Al Sadd 4-3 Al Wakrah 1989: Al Arabi 2-0 Qatar SC 1990: Al Arabi 3-0 Al Wakrah 1991: Al Sadd 1-0 Al Rayyan 1992: Al Ahli 2-1 Al Rayyan 1993: Al Arabi 3-0 Al Sadd Officials display the team jerseys of Al Duhail and Al Rayyan ahead of the final of the Amir Cup. 1994: Al Sadd 3-2 Al Arabi 1995: Al Ittihad 2-1 Al Wakrah 1996: Al Ittihad 5-2 Al Rayyan 1997: Al Ittihad 1-1 Al Rayyan (3-2 pens) Al Duhail look to stay unbeaten this season 1998: Al Ittihad 4-3 Al Ahli 1999: Al Rayyan 2-1 Al Gharrafa RIZWAN REHMAT 2000: Al Sadd 2-0 Al Rayyan on winning the Amir Cup what we aim to do and that to Al Duhail’s Team 2001: Al Sadd 3-2 Qatar SC THE PENINSULA final. complete the current season Director Adnan Al Ali “Thank God that we suc- without a loss,” Ali said in an 2002: Al Ittihad 4-1 Al Sadd DOHA: Unbeaten Al Duhail ceeded in winning two titles interview posted on the club 2003: Al Sadd 2-1 Al Ahli will be playing to complete this season. Now we want to website. 2004: Al Rayyan 3-2 Qatar SC their trophy treble when they continue that winning form “This time we will have to 2005 : Al Sadd 0-0 Al Wakrah (5-4 pen) take on Al Rayyan in the Amir by ending the season by lifting prove our abilities against Al 2006: Al Rayyan 1-1 Al Gharafa (5-3 pen) Cup final today, a top club the Amir Cup,” Ali said in an Rayyan in the Amir Cup final. 2007: Al Sadd 0-0 Al Khor (5-4 pen) official said yesterday interview. “We want to end We have already beaten top 2008: Umm Salal 2-2 Al Gharafa (4-1 pen) A win at the Khalifa Inter- the season without a loss,” he sides like Al Gharafa and Al national Stadium today will added. Sadd this season,” he added. 2009: Al Gharafa 2-1 Al Rayyan seal Al Duhail’s trophy treble Al Duhail played 22 “We respect Al Rayyan a 2010: Al Rayyan 1-0 Umm Salal Sports Club this season. matches in the regular season lot and we know that it is one 2011: Al Rayyan 2-1 Al-Gharafa Al Duhail won the QNB winning 19 of those games. of the teams that has expe- 2012: Al Gharafa 0-0 Al Sadd (5-4 pen) Stars League title in March The remaining three QNB rience of doing well in the big 2013: Al Rayyan 2-1 Al Sadd and then followed that Stars League matches were finals,” he said. 2014: Al Sadd 3-0 Al Sailiyah triumph by bagging the Qatar drawn. quarter-finals, played two Champions League and won “This will be the first time 2015: Al Sadd 2-1 El Jaish Cup at the end of last month. Al Duhail, who have matches in the Qatar Cup, all those games. that we will meet Al Rayyan Team Director Adnan Al already sealed a berth in the winning both. Al Duhail “There is nothing left after in a title match. We feel 2016: Lekhwiya 2-2 Al Sadd (4-2 pen) Ali said the team is focused AFC Champions League played 8 matches in the AFC this game. No team has done ready,” he said. 2017: Al Sadd 2-1 Al Rayyan SATURDAY 19 MAY 2018 SPORT 19 Tabata says Al Rayyan confident of ending season with a title win RIZWAN REHMAT desire to come out on top,” the THE PENINSULA 37-year-old added. “We want to end the season with DOHA: Veteran midfielder Rodrigo a title victory,” he added. Tabata has said Al Rayyan camp Al Rayyan saw Al Duhail clinch the remains confident of closing out the QNB Stars League race and bag the football season with a win against Al Qatar Cup at the end of last month. Duhail in the Amir Cup final today. “I guarantee you that we will give The arch-rivals clash at the Khalifa our very best in the final,” Tabata said. International Stadium where the kick- Tabata was on song as Al Rayyan off time has been set for 10.15pm. eased past former champions Al “I must appreciate the good spirit Gharafa in the semi-finals last week. that we have in our camp. Al “I am very happy to have scored Rayyan is confident of two goals in our win over Al winning,” Tabata, Gharafa. It made me happy who scored two that I could lead my to AL RAYYAN SQUAD goals in Al achieve a 3-0 victory,” Ahmed Al Saadi - Midfielder Rayyan’s 3-0 Tabata said. Abdulrazak Hamdallah - Forward win over Al “I hope to repeat the - Defender Gharafa last same performance in the Abdulrahman Al Harazi - Midfielder week, said final because it is now the Abdulrahman AlKorbi - Midfielder in an most important step for interview. me and for all of my team- Rodrigo Tabata - Midfielder “Al Rayyan mates,” the former Qatar - Defender Gonzalo Viera are very national team player added. Koh Myong Jin - Midfielder eager to win “The Al Gharafa match Sebastian Soria - Forward the final. We was not easy at all for us, Musa Haroon - Defender have a given the great desire of both Abdulhamid Diri Al Diri - Midfielder strong teams to emerge as Al Rayyan players take part in a training session at the Khalifa International Younes Yaqoob Shaban - Defender winners. We fought Stadium in Doha on the eve of their Amir Cup final against Al Duhail. Omar S. Barry - Goalkeeper hard to win and Picture: Baher Amin / The Peninsula Daniel Goumou - Midfielder reach for the final though the score Mohammed Jassar - Goalkeeper suggests it was an Rayyan will arrive for the Amir Cup Mohsine Moutaouali easy match. final match aiming for the win. - Forward “We entered the “There is no such thing as fear in Saoud Al khater pitch against Al football,” said Tabata. - Goalkeeper Gharafa with great “Al Rayyan is a very strong team Mohammed Jumma concentration from the like Al Duhail and its numbers and Al Rayyan are very - Defender outset. The early first results this season are the best proof Abdul Maqsoud goal I think helped our of what I say,” he added. eager to win the final. - Midfielder task to win with a wide “We look forward to shaking We have a strong margin,” Tabata said. hands with the Amir His Highness Mohammed Tabata said Al Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. desire to come out on Alaeddin We know how difficult it is to face top. We want to end - Defender Al Duhail who have played so well Ali Sanad this season. But we are determined the season with a title - Defender to do our best to win the most victory. I guarantee Mahmoud important of all football events Ahmed played in Qatar,” Tabata said. you that we will give - Goalkeeper “We are eager to do our best to win the final and finish the season our very best in the with a title win. A win on Saturday will final: Tabata guarantee our participation in next year’s AFC Champions League. We promise Al Rayyan fans that we will last year against Al Sadd who lost to do our best,” Tabata said. Al Duhail last week in the Al Rayyan lost the Amir Cup final semi-finals.

HOW THEY REACHED THE FINAL

AL RAYYAN ALA DUHAIL SQUAD AbdurahmanAbduraah Abubakar - Defender QARTER-FINAL KhaKhaledale Radhwan - Defender Beat Al Arabi 3-0 MMohammedoham Al Kuwari - Forward Mohsine Moutaouali (53), AbduAbdullahllah AAbdulhamid Fazli - Defender Rodrigo Tabata (82) and MMurad Naji - Defender Aldoukali Al Baoure (90 +4) KKhalifahal Ndiaye - Goalkeeper MMohamedoha Mussa - Defender SEMI-FINAL SaSayyeday Hassan - Forward Beat Al Gharafa 3-0 AbduAbdulrahmanulr Fahmi - Midfielder - Defender Rodrigo Tabata (2, 88), Koh LuLucasuc Mendes LuLLuiz Martin - Midfielder Myong-Jin (47) NaNamam Tae-hee - Midfielder MoMohammedham Muntari - Forward AL DUHAIL KaKarimari Boudiaf - Midfielder - Midfielder - Goalkeeper QUARTER-FINAL AAhmadhmada Ali S Hatimi TTalalalal Al Qahthani - Midfielder Beat Umm Salal 1-0 IsmIsmailma Mohamad - Midfielder Al Moez Ali (54) KhKhaledha Muftah - Defender AAlmoez Ali - Forward SEMI-FINAL NNasserass Khalfan - Midfielder Beat Al Sadd 1-0 NNooroo Rahman - Defender (68) The Khalifa International Stadium where the Amir Cup final will Al Duhail forward Youssef El Arabi celebrates take place today. with his signature ‘pulling-the-trigger’ pose.